Spec Fic Recs from November
10 Dec
Well it’s that time again, time for me to rant pointlessly about cool stuff I read online. Which is pretty much all I do here, barring that harrowing period in the beginning of November where I did that whole Nano thing. (Don’t worry, it’s only once a year!)
So here they are, my picks from November (and, admittedly, the very beginning of December.)
First up, the debut publication from Corinne Duyvis in the last issue of Underground Voices, Dependency. It’s one of those pieces where you can’t say too much without re-telling the story, and don’t need to since it speaks so eloquently for itself– but the way she’s balanced a single moment of decision with a sad and fascinating history is truly remarkable. (Cory’s also a professional artist and one of those people who’s entirely too good at everything creative for the comfort and sanity of others. Which is why we love her, obviously.) If you check it out, you’ll be happy. Well no, you’ll be depressed. But you know what I mean.
It’s not strictly speculative, unless we expand the definition to include all forms of speculation. I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately; I’ve been working on a story that doesn’t have any overtly fantastic elements, but still feels like it’s held up by a sort of scaffolding of invisible magical threads to me. And anyhow, some people might call a lot of things magic that others call mundane. (Any sufficiently advanced technology…, etc., etc., but magic is fun!) It seems important to keep an open mind about it, in genre fiction in particular, where it’s all about the spin. Life’s always a crossover/slipstream bit of a story, I guess is what I mean. (Only without trying to sound deep, since I have the depth of a mud puddle on a hot day, as will now be abundantly clear.)
Next up, something from the awesome debut issue of Arkham Tales. Not that something with such a rad name could fail to be a nod to the greats, but this one really delivers. Loads of good stories in it (even some evil vegetarian/crazy meat eating ones, like just for me!), but I particularly wanted to recommend Jenny Schwartz’s Market Values. It’s a cool slice of a fascinating world– the kind of little story that leaves you both satisfied and interested to know more. Odd little characters, and some disturbing questions. And, you know, really creepy. All in the best tradition of dark fantasy, and so nicely executed.
Last up this time, Critical Mass by CA Manestar in this month’s Nossa Morte. Every month it seems like there’s one that’s very me, as in something people who know me would read and go, Yeah, she would pick that one…. This is it, this time. It’s disturbing in a great way, so much so that I feel compelled to let you know: this is f@$kd up, my friends. It’s fabulously written. There are so many interesting mental threads going throughout, and the way she draws them back around in the end is so awfully satisfying. I don’t know her, but the word is that this woman also makes Steampunk flavored jewelry.
Dude.
And that’s me, this month.
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Now playing: Oasis – I’m Outta Time (Remix)
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Great reads. “Critical Mass” was dark. Yikes. I’m going to go watch a Barney DVD to purge my system.
I’ve got as far as printing out ‘Arkham Tales’ but haven’t read it yet – thanks for the push.
Aaron, I think that’s a great measure of “darkness”. Does it send you running for a Barney DVD? (Or, for that matter, make Barney look like he’s not disturbing in his own right?)
You’ll love it, Cate, I can’t wait to see what you think!
I liked “Animal Rights” : )
I loved that one (hence the sly mention of evil vegetarians)! So rooting for the… er… waitress. It all plays into my personal vendetta against asshole vegetarians who make me look bad! F#$kers!
Oh god, I suck! I promise I read this and squeed, but then I had to rush off to work and it kept slipping my mind to comment after that… But yes! Doing so now, only a week later!
Thanks a ton for this – I much appreciate the nice thoughts and the support. I’m really glad you liked it, and that you liked it enough to pimp it here, at that <3